The Lost Portal: Empty World Saga, #4

Summary

Lost technology might let him walk again, but he'll need lost friends to help him get home.

Cory delves into the Empty World all on his own with just a computer generated guardian for an ally. He knows that if he's ever going to walk again, he needs to unlock the forgotten secrets of medical technology advanced enough to heal him.

Meanwhile, the search party looking for Cory has troubles of its own. Lost in an underground city, Christy and the others have to keep one step ahead of the Ancients who are hunting them as they try to track down Cory. But is the guardian who controls those Ancients the same one helping Cory?

The Lost Portal is the fourth book of the Empty World Saga, a science fiction adventure series for kids aged 8-12. If your kids have blown through the Land of Stories, devoured the Keeper of the Lost Cities, or can't wait for the next Wings of Fire, make the complete Empty World Saga their next read.

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The Lost Portal - David K. Anderson

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friends.

Chapter 1

I have to stay and help find Cory. It’s just as much my fault he’s here as it is his, Christy Walker argued, looking directly at her dad.

The rest of the group—Detective Lockhart; Christy’s grandfather, Jack; and her best friend, Trevor— were all hanging back to let father and daughter talk it out. The five of them were in an underground city, in an immense room they’d discovered while trying to collect Cory and return to earth. But when they’d arrived, they found a goodbye note explaining his plan to use a portal to another city, where he hoped there was a cure for his paralysis.

No, Christy, you’re going home as soon as we decide on a rescue plan.

Doug Walker looked around at the others for support, but Jack, Detective Lockhart, and Trevor kept their eyes on the floor, none of them wanting to meet Doug’s gaze. The silence went on for half a minute before Jack cleared his throat and spoke.

I think Christy will not only be a big help, but I think she’s essential for us to succeed in finding Cory. Nobody knows this world like she does, with the possible exception of me. But she knows the underground cities and I don’t. Jack looked at Doug and shrugged. Sorry Doug, but I don’t think this works without her.

But Cory’s not here. He’s used this portal to go to another city, and Christy hasn’t seen it any more than any of us have, Doug countered, gesturing toward the portal setup that had taken Cory off.

True, but just knowing what to expect in these cities, regardless of which particular one it is, may be the determining factor in finding him.

Doug opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. Crossing his arms defensively, he paused.

No, he said finally, it’s too dangerous.

Jack squinted at him. Let me guess. You were almost going to argue that Trevor has spent a lot of time in the city too, right?

Doug smiled reluctantly. I quickly realized saying that would not only be stupid but self-serving of me. Trevor goes home too—no arguments. His smile was gone, and he looked at Trevor and Christy defiantly.

Christy knew that he was digging in for a verbal fight and that he expected to take on all adversaries and come out on top. Before she could begin to argue, Trevor spoke up.

I’m staying if Christy is. You’re right that I know the city setup pretty well.

Christy’s stomach tightened hearing Trevor talk. She knew what she had to say now, no matter what Trevor’s reaction. But she realized once she spoke that he would think she was betraying him ... again. Empathy for him made her hesitate, but finally, even knowing what was coming, she said, I’m staying. But you’re right Dad, Trev has to go home.

Trev, I couldn’t have survived here without you, and you’re the reason we have my dad back with us, but only one of us who knows anything about the cities needs to stay, and that’s me. I almost got you killed or captured. Your mom must be going out of her mind not knowing what’s happening. She paused, looking directly at him. Even though I’m sure my mom has at least tried to calm your parents’ fears, you need to go home. I don’t want to be blamed for you as well as Cory.

When Trevor kept quiet, Christy turned to her dad. I’m not leaving. You’d have to drag me into the portal and that’s not going to happen. I’m needed here, Dad.

Doug didn’t answer her. He turned away and wandered over to the impressive mural and stopped in front of it, staring. It was a map of the entire Empty World.

After a while, his head lowered. Without turning, he said softly, Since when did my fourteen-year-old daughter start dictating terms to me? And since when did she start having such rational arguments that I had no choice but to agree with her? He turned and faced the others. But Trevor, he continued, you are going back. End of discussion.

Trevor looked to Jack and the detective for support, but both of them nodded at Doug, agreeing with him.

Not fair, Trevor mumbled.

Jack put his hand on Trevor’s shoulder. Son, there’s nothing fair in this life at all. What you did to spring my son-in-law out of the Ancients’ prison was nothing short of heroic, but your part in this is done. Has to be.

Trevor’s shoulders slumped in resignation. Then you need someone better than me, and even better than any of you. You can probably keep yourselves safe, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to meet the challenges you’ll definitely find.

Christy stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Realizing he wasn’t going to, she turned away and wandered off a few feet by herself. She needed to think.

Footsteps came up behind her. Her grandfather put his hand on her shoulder. What’s he talking about, Christy?

Brad. He means Brad.

Her grandfather frowned. Why him?

Without Brad, none of us would have made it home. You saw him figure out the portal devices, she replied. He also was the only one who was able to figure out how to get into the city through the hidden door mechanism. And he learned enough of Clacker’s language to talk to him in a couple of hours or less. That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Brad might be the only one who would be able to see any challenges for what they really are and figure out how to overcome them.

Christy stepped back toward the group, realizing they were all listening in anyways, and continued explaining.

There are a lot of tricks, like the walls and doors that don’t appear to be walls or doors. The Ancients have set them up all over the place to protect themselves or to kill Cleaners. None of us see things the way Brad does. I will never ever call him strange again after what I saw him do. He may seem different to us because of his Asperger’s, but if Brad was here, I’d feel a lot better. Even if it isn’t fair to ask him to return any more than it’s fair to make Trev leave.

She stopped, expecting someone to say something, but when nobody did, she added, He was difficult and always seemed to be just about ready to cry or panic, but Danny mostly took the brunt of that and helped Brad through it when he could. And the more familiar Brad became with everything here, the better he was. Trev’s the only one I told the whole story to. I didn’t make Brad out to be a hero, but he was one.

Jack shook his head. But he refused to come back this time, didn’t he? What makes you think he’ll change his mind? Even if his mom and dad would let him come back.

Christy thought for a moment. He’ll come if we make it clear that we’ll never get Cory back without him. He worships Cory. Although I don’t know why; Cory has teased, picked on and generally made his life more difficult nonstop. But I’m betting Mrs. Peters will let him. She’s got to be dying worrying about Cory. I bet she’ll be all for anything that will help bring Cory home.

Then let’s quickly decide who goes back for Brad with Trevor, because the longer we wait, the further away Cory could be getting.

Wow. This looks just like the portal area I just left, but it’s lit up more, not nearly as dark, Cory said. He’d gotten used to talking out loud when Murray was on his lap, and continued the habit even without the cat, whom he’d left behind for the others to take back to earth.

Well, well, who do we have here? Someone in a mobile chair I see.

Cory spun his wheelchair around to face the voice addressing him.

Sarynn?

No, my name is Tarynn. Who are you?

My name is Cory. I see you know English as well as Sarynn did.

The computer hologram seemed to smirk before she spoke. You’re not the first from your world to show up here. What happened to your legs?

Cory wheeled a little closer and stopped. For a computer you ask a lot of questions. You also look just like Sarynn in Vahuuldyn. But there’s something different that I can’t quite put my finger on.

Ah, bright boy. I’m the newer version of Sarynn. When they decided to populate the cities with greeters in preparation for the return of our peoples, they started with Vahuuldyn and Sarynn. I’m of course here in Zaltruubanik and they upgraded my programming to evolve over time. I have a lot more personality than Sarynn. What do you think? She spun around like she was showing off what she was wearing.

I don’t know. You do seem more animated ... less computer-like, I guess. But Sarynn tried to make me laugh by playing a joke on me at one point, so you’re not that different.

Tarynn frowned at Cory. Not that different? she asked, her voice cruel. Oh, how wrong you are. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt since you don’t know me yet.

Cory instinctively wheeled back slightly at the tone in Tarynn’s voice. Not sure I want to know you better, he thought. Tarynn seemed even angrier as Cory moved away from her.

What? Did I scare you? Tarynn’s tone didn’t soften in the least and Cory for the first time noticed her eyes. They were black and seemed to mirror the cruelty he heard in her voice.

Cory ignored her demeanor and instead got right down to what he’d come for.

I’m looking for devices that make portals. I understand from Sarynn that they’re manufactured here.

Devices ... portals ... quaint terms, but I understand what you mean. Why do you need them?

Despite Tarynn’s attitude, Cory decided to be honest. I want to try to find a world where they can heal my back, so I can walk again.

Seems a worthy reason to me. She smiled that cruel smile again. But there is nothing here, I’m afraid, that can help you. Not because I wouldn’t want to help, mind you, she continued, sounding delighted. We ship all the components out to a small distribution center in a town called Boakly, so there hasn’t been anything here for thousands of years.

How do I get to the distribution center from here?

She gestured at Cory in the wheelchair. In that? She pouted, tilting her head. What a shame. I’m sure you can’t traverse the terrain to get there.

No, sorry, she said, not sounding the least bit sorry. We don’t have a portal to Boakly and the beltway there may not be functional. I don’t have any knowledge of whether it is or not, but it’s been a very long time. Just like I lost communication with Sarynn and Vahuuldyn, the link to Boakly and the distribution center has been down for ages.

Cory met those cruel eyes and Tarynn smiled again without any sympathy.

Can I go take a look to see for myself?

Why certainly. Follow me. She gestured and started walking. There’s a functioning platform to the surface that brings you right out to the beltway area. But that platform won’t come back down I’m afraid. Once it makes it to the surface, it is no longer under my control. Again, I warn you, I have no way of knowing if that beltway still functions. But the beltway’s only destination is the distribution center, so if it is still working, you might get there. In any case, be warned that in that primitive contraption you use to get around with, I don’t think you’ll be able to get back here on your own once you’re on the surface. But of course, it’s up to you.

They entered a short alleyway and at the end of it was an open door. Tarynn pointed through it. That is the platform. Enter that and I’ll send you to the surface. The door won’t close behind you. That got stuck a very long time ago, but it won’t interfere with the function of the platform.

As Cory was wheeling around Tarynn to enter the platform, she spoke in a more monotone voice. No, Darynn, I think not.

Cory stopped just short of entering the door. What was that? Who is Darynn?

Tarynn paused for a long few seconds, then said, Darynn is my counterpart in Abuuenki. The link there has never been lost. She was just asking me a question, that’s all. She’s very pushy, bordering on nosy, and listens in on me all the time. She trained that cruel smile on Cory again. Get in.

Cory wheeled in and turned to watch Tarynn. You sure this takes me to the surface?

Of course. I wouldn’t lie to you.

I wouldn’t put it past you, Cory thought.

I’ll start it up now. Tarynn frowned, this time a legitimate one. It’s taking a bit longer than I thought. It has sat for centuries. Give it a second and it may ascend slowly.

Finally, the platform began slowly to rise up. Cory thought of something. There may be some others who come looking for me.

The platform stopped. What do you mean? What others?

I have some friends who may come looking for me. You can tell them I’m okay and it probably would be alright to let them follow me. At this point, they can’t stop me.